San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-04-26


then, touching the revolver which hung
at his belt; "Ill be messenger and coach
man both, then"
But" still continued the other, "there's
one thing more," and he leaned forward
so that his lips Touched his companions
ear. cooper Tom and his pal, Old
Jim,' are on the road. A man from Cross
Trees was robbed by them last night"
Pool whistled long and low, and his
hand fell from his pistol butt. Copper
Tom" was the worst road agent in Mon
tana--a desperate, with both courage and
brains.
Don't send the rags
81 mustw said the expressman. anx-
iously. THE order is peremptory; the
money must go to-day, messenger or no
messenger. Now. will you take it and
carry it through
Jack laughed.
"Tll take it; that's part Of my business.
Throw the safe under the seat and give
me yOur pistol; l may want two" And
he took the others revolver from the desk
where it lay and thrust it into his boot
top. "As to carrying it through, that's
another matter. with those fellows TO stop
it. But I'll promise you this-if l go
through, the safe shall"
The agent grasped his hand and shook
it warmly. The door was thrown open,
the driver mounted his seat, the iron box
was slowed beneath his feet, the single
passenger ian old woman, to be left at the
first station) got in, the whip cracked,
the horses plunged, the coach lurched
heavily forward, and amid a shower OF
mud disappeared down the steep noun
tain road.
Although it was May the morning was
cold, land il was not until the sun had
climbed well up the eastern sky that the
chill thawed out of the air, and by that
upon his journey, with fresh horses in
the traces and an empty coach behind
him. He began to brighten up with the
sun.
after get through the DEVILS Pass
said he to himself, Copper Tom or any
other man may whistle for me, for from
that to Dickson's is as handsome a road
as ever a horse struck foot upon, and
whoever tries TO stop me there, unless he
shoots first, will go under the leaders
feet. i intend to make that little seven
miles in just twenty eight minutes with
out brakes"
And he gathered his reigns with firm
er hand, as if already whirling at that
mad pace down the mountain-side.
"Let's see," he continued, IF nothing
goes wrong and the roads all right l
ought to make my last change by five
o'clock and reach the pass before six. 1t
will then be broad daylight, so | can rat
tie right along. and then. after the spin
down the 'causeway,' I'll strike DicksOn's
before seven, certain. Beyond that the
road is too open and too much Travelled
into Helena to be dangerous By JOve"
he concluded. his heart warming as he
struck his heels against the safe beneath
the seat, Il don't see where the agents
can stop me, unless-Good heavens! what
if they try it in the very pass itselfi
had not thought Of thatr'
The man was silent for moment, and
his face grew grave; then, frightening,
he shook his reigns, loosened his revOl-
vers in boot and belt, and, with sigh,
concluded his soliloquy with the remarks:
"Well, if they should meet me in the
pass, twill be about an even thing. If
they miss their first shot, I'll run 'em
down, drive them into the canon, or drop
'em with my pistols. If they don't miss,
why then the swags theirs"
1t was now high noon, and soon station
two was reached, where horses were again
changed, and where Pool dined upon
jerked bear meat, hot bread and black
coffee. Strong food, but none too strong
for the long ride yet before him.
AS he mounted the box and prepared to
depart the keeper of the station slipped
from his dug-out and drew near.
There's an old pard down the road
apiece who'll want a ride. He war here
bout two hours ago He'll bear watch
in"
And the rough frontiersman touched
the pistol butt which protruded from his
open shirt-front to emphasize his warn
ing.
Jake nodded.
Thanks. Tom! I'll keep my eyes open.
So longw
The fresh steeds in harness sprang
strongly forward, and the empty coach
whiIlrd away.
Its Old jim. sure" whispered Pool
to himself a. his trained eyes searched
the winlmg road before him. The old
scamp wants to ride so that he'll be on
hand when Copper Tom turns up in the
pass. l see it all"
The teeth closed with Il snap.
"Goodr he continued moment later.
"He shall ride"
Some five miles were passed when, in
the shadow of great pine that grew near
the trail. Jake espied his prospective pas
senger, prone upon the ground at the foot
Of the tree apparently resting. As the
rafting coach drew near, the man be-
stirred himself and slowly rose.
"Hullo, driver! Kin ye favor an old
beggar with lift I'm played, fur I'm
too old to tramp as l used to, an too poor
to pay fur ride. Kin ye give me one"
He stepped forward as he spoke. Poor
he was, if tattered garments betOken pow
erty, for his clothing was but single
patched rag from head to foot. Old he
certainly was, for the withered skin and
scanty gray locks, the claw-like hands
and sunken eyes, could not well be dis
guised.
Half in scorn and half in pity, yet with
IA